§ Lord Ashley of Stokeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many children are currently identified as having special educational needs. [HL 1092]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Across all schools in January 2002 there were 248,982 pupils with statements of special118WA educational needs and 1,401,995 pupils with special educational needs without statements
§ Lord Ashley of Stokeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they have had with local authorities about the adequacy of provision of special schools in relation to parents' demand for places for children with special educational needs. [HL1094]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandUnder Section 14(6)(b) of the Education Act 1996, local education authorities are under a duty to secure special education provision for pupils with special educational needs. The organisation of school provision in a local education authority area, including the balance between mainstream and special schools, is a matter for the authority itself. Proposals to make changes to school provision are decided by the local school organisation committee or, where they cannot agree, the school adjudicator. Officials do discuss provision in special schools with local authorities, in response to their requests for advice, where an Ofsted inspection shows that some aspects of an authority's arrangements for education are found to be inadequate or where an authority has failed to comply with the terms of a statement of special educational need.
The Government believe that special schools play a vital role in supporting pupils with special educational needs. However, it is also important that local authorities and the schools themselves recognise that that role is changing and needs to become more outwardly-focused to reflect the general principle in the SEN code of practice that the special educational needs of pupils will normally be met in mainstream schools or settings. Last summer I commissioned a sub-group of the Ministerial SEN Working Group to advise me on how the role of special schools might develop within this inclusive framework. I am due to receive that report shortly and will ensure that the noble Lord receives a copy.
§ Lord Ashley of Stokeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many special schools catered for children with special educational needs 10 years ago; how many there are today; and how many face closure. [HL 1093]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandAt January 2002 there were 1,098 maintained special schools and 63 non-maintained special schools in England. This compares with 1,274 and 78 respectively in 1992. Since January 2002, 16 special schools have closed, 17 special schools are proposed to close and 18 special schools have opened. In addition to maintained and non-maintained special schools, there are currently 225 independent schools where the register consists mainly or wholly of pupils with special educational needs (SEN). Of these schools 89 have approved status. An equivalent figure for 1992 is not available.
119WAIn January 2002, some 36 per cent of the 248,982 pupils with statements of SEN were in maintained or non-maintained special schools compared with 52 per cent of the 160,759 pupils with statements of SEN in 1992.